Housing fair attracts record numbers

CaptionHoward County Housing Fair

Photo by Noah Scialom

Mohammad Islam reacts after winning the housing lottery at the annual Howard County Housing Fair, which allows him to buy a home at a greatly reduced price, at Long Reach High School on Saturday, April 13. With him are, from left, his sister, Sanjida Islam, holding his youngest son, Tafsir, his...

Mohammad Islam reacts after winning the housing lottery at the annual Howard County Housing Fair, which allows him to buy a home at a greatly reduced price, at Long Reach High School on Saturday, April 13. With him are, from left, his sister, Sanjida Islam, holding his youngest son, Tafsir, his... (Photo by Noah Scialom)

Mohammad Islam hugs his son, Tarif, after winning the housing lottery which allows him to buy a home at a greatly reduced price, at the annual Howard County Housing Fair at Long Reach High School on Saturday, April 13.

Mohammad Islam hugs his son, Tarif, after winning the housing lottery which allows him to buy a home at a greatly reduced price, at the annual Howard County Housing Fair at Long Reach High School on Saturday, April 13. (Photo by Noah Scialom)

Elkridge resident Donna Heard reacts to winning a drawing which allows her to buy a soon-to-be-built single-family home at a greatly reduced price, at the annual Howard County Housing Fair at Long Reach High School on Saturday, April 13.

Elkridge resident Donna Heard reacts to winning a drawing which allows her to buy a soon-to-be-built single-family home at a greatly reduced price, at the annual Howard County Housing Fair at Long Reach High School on Saturday, April 13. (Photo by Noah Scialom)

Elkridge resident Donna Heard reacts to winning a drawing which allows her to buy a soon-to-be-built single-family home at a greatly reduced price, at the annual Howard County Housing Fair at Long Reach High School.

Elkridge resident Donna Heard reacts to winning a drawing which allows her to buy a soon-to-be-built single-family home at a greatly reduced price, at the annual Howard County Housing Fair at Long Reach High School. (Photo by Noah Scialom)

Jne StCyr and her son, Grahm, 17 months, who currently live in Baltimore City but intend to move to Howard County, play with balloons at the annual Howard County Housing Fair at Long Reach High School on Saturday, April 13.

Jne StCyr and her son, Grahm, 17 months, who currently live in Baltimore City but intend to move to Howard County, play with balloons at the annual Howard County Housing Fair at Long Reach High School on Saturday, April 13. (Photo by Noah Scialom)

Prospective Howard County homeowners flooded Long Reach High School on Saturday, April 13, looking for information on available properties, financing options and recommendations to make buying a home a reality.

Both school teachers in Prince George's County, the Jahodas said they would like to own a home in either Columbia or Elkridge.

"It's been great," Kira said of the fair. "We've gotten a lot of good information. Hopefully, we'll make homeownership a reality this summer."

Based on pre-registration information, event organizer Tracy Gosson said attendance is split between county and non-county residents.

Most attendees come from within a 20-mile radius of Jessup, including Anne Arundel and Baltimore County residents, Gosson said. But she added that attendees also came from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.

"Last year, the housing market looked to be back," she said. "This year it's back for sure."

The fair, which is sponsored by Howard County Housing, offered attendees an opportunity to discuss homeownership with 55 vendors, including local community representatives, county agencies, financing agencies and Realtors. Free credit reports and one-on-one counseling sessions also were available.

The fair offered 25 hour-long classes discussing topics affecting for first-time homeowners: how to repair your credit score, tips on landlord and tenant relations and various home improvement projects, according to Tom Carbo, executive director of the Howard County Housing Commission.

Columbia resident Charrita Williams attended multiple classes, as did a number of people. The sessions were held in classrooms and were very popular.

Williams said she attended sessions on managing your credit score and purchasing the appropriate home and renters insurance.

Currently is a renter in Columbia, Williams said she would like to eventually own a home in the county.

"Absolutely, it was informative," she said. "I'm more prepared now for homeownership."

New to the fair this year were classes offered in Chin and Spanish and a financial literacy course for teenagers, Carbo said.

Carbo said the number of vendors and classes offered were both record highs.

"The turnout has been tremendous," he said.

Bus tours to four sites in Ellicott City and Elkridge to view model homes also were popular, Carbo said.

"We're letting people know why Howard County is such a great county to live," he said.

Mohammad Islam reacted after winning the housing lottery at the annual Howard County Housing Fair, which allows him to buy a home at a greatly reduced price, at Long Reach High School on Saturday, April 13th. With him are, from left, his sister Sanjida Islam holding his youngest son Tafsir, his...

The round of applause made 10-month-old Tafsir Islam cry in the arms of his aunt, Sanjida Islam, but they could have been tears of joy. Just seconds before, his parents had won the opportunity to purchase a new three-bedroom townhouse at a below market rate in Ellicott City.

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